Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged Bayern Munich to stand by coach Niko Kovac.

Wenger has been linked with Kovac's job after a disappointing start to the season.

He said, "I'm surprised, like all Germans, but not worried. They always come back. Bavaria had a bad phase. But for me, two things are important: That they now remain stable with Kovac and that the self-confidence is rebuilt within the club. Then there will be a strong Bayern team again.

"There is so much stress in this profession today that the solidarity between the trainers is very, very important. In Germany, they also have very young coaches. Trainers who have good facilities to become very great coaches. That's why it's so important that they find support when things are not going so well."

As for his own plans, Wenger revealed a return to football is now close.

"Bundesliga? Probably not. But how I go on I cannot tell you today. I do not know it myself.

"I will go on, in what position I do not know today. Can be in my village, in Japan, anywhere..."